Chechen leader: Ukraine's major counter-offensive will benefit Russia

Leader of Russia's Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov (Photo: AFP).

RT reported that Mr. Kadyrov on April 8 expressed his opinion on Ukraine's plan to launch a spring counteroffensive against Russia. He said that if Ukraine decides to attack, this will be beneficial for Russia because Moscow's soldiers will fight in more favorable conditions.

"To counterattack successfully, Ukraine needs large resources. Losses to the attacking side are inevitable. Meanwhile, Russia is in a favorable situation and has taken control of fortified positions," he explained.

The Chechen leader also said that Russia had honed its tactics and could predict Ukraine's moves on the battlefield. "Defense will allow us to use fewer resources than the enemy," he said.

Information about Ukraine's upcoming counter-offensive against Russia has emerged in recent times from Kiev and Western officials. On April 7, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Kiev's counter-offensive could begin in the next few weeks, while last month, Ukrainian Defense Minister Aleksey Reznikov predicted that it would be carried out in April or May and could develop in many directions.

However, late last month, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky admitted that Kiev still did not have enough ammunition to launch an offensive. On the other hand, General Mark Milley, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, warned that Ukraine would face many challenges in retaking all of its territory from Russia.

Ukraine says Russia preparing to evacuate people ahead of major battle

The Ukrainian military said on April 8 that pro-Russian authorities in Zaporizhia and Kherson were preparing to evacuate civilians from these areas ahead of a potential counter-offensive by Kiev.

Although Ukraine said the exact location of the counter-offensive campaign is a military secret, many experts believe Kiev may focus its attacks on the southern front area.

Russia is encouraging Ukrainian citizens in the Zaporizhia and Kherson regions to obtain Russian passports and then move south to the Crimean peninsula, the Ukrainian General Staff said.

In the cities of Melitopol and Skadovsk in the Zaporizhia region, Ukraine said, pro-Russian authorities conducted a survey on possible evacuation and checked whether residents had Russian identity documents.

In recent weeks, both Russia and Ukraine have massed forces along the front line in the Zaporizhia region, amid speculation that Ukraine could launch a counter-offensive in the area.

Military analysts believe that Ukraine could aim an attack in the direction of Melitopol, to open the way to the Sea of ​​Azov, in order to divide the Russian-controlled territory into two parts.

If Ukraine successfully counterattacks, as it did in retaking Kharkiv and Kherson, it would help alleviate concerns that the war is slipping into a prolonged stalemate. It would also help Ukraine demonstrate to the West that it can defeat Russia, which would encourage NATO to increase its aid efforts to Kiev. A successful counterattack is therefore seen as a major goal for Ukraine.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/lanh-dao-chechnya-chien-dich-phan-cong-lon-cua-ukraine-se-co-loi-cho-nga-20230409071916564.htm